Businesses demand articulated plan to reopen Australia s borders04/06/2021|5min
The federal government needs to work with the agriculture, education and tourism sectors to devise an “articulated plan” for reopening Australia’s borders, says Tourism & Transport Forum Australia CEO Margy Osmond.
The Morrison government has remained tight-lipped on setting a timeline for reopening Australia to the rest of the world with Finance Minister Simon Birmingham revealing a decision would be made in the latter stages of the vaccine rollout.
Although public health remains the priority, Ms Osmond says industries hit hardest by border restrictions need clarity over the levels of vaccination required before international travel is once again permitted.
China’s stake in Australia’s largest coal export port questioned
China’s stake in the Port of Newcastle has been questioned following recent changes to foreign investment laws.
The port, which is the largest coal export port in the world, is operated by a company via a 98-year lease with the NSW government.
That company is part-owned by the same Chinese state-owned corporation involved in Victoria’s Belt and Road Initiative an agreement scrapped by the Morrison government in April after it cited the arrangements as inconsistent with foreign policy.
Nationals Queensland senator Susan McDonald asked the government during Senate estimates on Tuesday whether the $1.75 billion lease sold by the NSW government in 2014 would still be approved today “given the geopolitical environment”.
Fresh calls for Porter investigation Calls are growing for an independent probe into the Christian Porter allegation after the former attorney-general discontinued his defamation case against the ABC. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Adam Yip
News by Finn McHugh 1st Jun 2021 9:04 AM | Updated: 10:23 AM
Calls are mounting for an independent inquiry into the Christian Porter rape allegation after the former attorney-general dropped his defamation case against the ABC.
Mr Porter confirmed on Monday that he would not proceed with the action, launched three months ago, insisting he would contest the next election.
Deputy Labor leader Richard Marles said the development meant the “cloud” hanging over Mr Porter had not been lifted, demanding Prime Minister Scott Morrison launch an independent probe into the matter.
Finance Minister Simon Birmingham says despite there being no JobKeeper during Victoria’s fourth lockdown there are “very significant economic supports” still available for Australian businesses.
Mr Birmingham told Sky News the federal budget offered a further $40 billion for “temporary COVID-19-related measures”.
He said the majority of economic support will be provided to Australian businesses and include highly discounted small business loans and targeted support in areas of tourism, aviation, and entertainment.
“We’ll of course monitor the situation very closely, particularly should it become extended beyond what’s there," he said.